Savannah GA things to do: The Frayed Knot offers knitting classes

2022-05-21 16:05:41 By : Mr. paul wang

When Jennifer Harvey was a little girl, her Grandmother introduced her to knitting.

She remembered the joy in knitting a pair of socks together. Little could she know that the experience would later define her life, career and marriage. She took the hobby seriously in art school, and as demand for her talents picked up, Harvey decided to open her first yarn store.

That's where she met her husband, Connor.

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"He came in with a mutual friend and expressed an interest in learning how to knit, but that was just his way of spending time with me," she recalled. "He is now our master spinner and enjoys knitting, crochet and weaving."

The pair were kindred spirits: her, a fine artist, painter, weaver, and fiber artist, and him, a classically-trained architect, graphic artist, fine artist, and fiber enthusiast.

After a few years, the pair decided to go into business together and soon opened a joint venture, The Frayed Knot, located on E. Broad St., near President St.

"We noticed that SCAD students and tourists were looking for a local option in fiber art, so we knew we had an audience," she shared.

This month, The Frayed Knot is celebrating 10 years in business, with a weeks’ worth of classes and workshops, culminating with an open-air Retail and Arts Market on Saturday. The event will feature an array of goods and vendors, along with food trucks, ice cream, and live art demonstrations.

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Through the years, The Frayed Knot has become a revered hub for knitting fans and artists in the Hostess City, a hobby that has grown the past few years as people spent more time at home and explored new hobbies.

"The community the yarn store creates offers comfort, joy, and support to anyone that wishes to join in," Harvey added.

Knitting is one hobby that continues to grow. Several recent national art association surveys place the total number of knitters in the U.S. between 45 and 53 million and counting.

Harvey says it’s a welcoming group, one which shares tips and techniques with each other, whether you are a beginner or expert. "Knitting and crochet brings out creativity and builds confidence within each person. It is rewarding to watch others develop their creative process, knowing that we helped them achieve their goals."

Over the past 10 years, Harvey recalls several innovations and new offerings that made The Frayed Knot a unique purveyor of knitting supplies in the Lowcountry.

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The have imported and marketed unique Japanese yarns, and brought novelty yarns out of the closet, inspiring local designers to use textured, non-traditional yarns again, Harvey noted.

The couple also worked with an Irish knitwear designer, gaining valuable insights into how the fashion industry worked. They also created an annual event hosting knitters from all over, treating them to Southern hospitality and fiber art under the moss-covered trees, Harvey said.

After 10 years in business, the couple have more plans for growth.

They plan to redevelop the space's shop concept to create a hybrid retail environment which will include ready-made fashion options along with yarn, fiber, and other products for knitting and crochet.

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As the local knitting community grows, and more visitors catch wind of the special things happening at The Frayed Knot, the pair say they are grateful to be able to continue doing what they love. "We have appreciated our time here in Savannah so far, and we look forward to many more prosperous years," Harvey added.

For more information about The Frayed Knot, visit thefrayedknotsav.com.

WHAT: The Frayed Knot - 10th Anniversary Retail Market

WHEN: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COST: Free and open to the public